Today my book club met. In December we all read "The Christmas Train" by David Baldacci.
We all loved it and were ready to dive headfirst into our discussion. Of course, we always get off track and today was no exception. Some of us had ridden trains. There were more than a few tales being told about trips they had made. Myself, I've made a few interesting journeys on trains over the years so naturally I had to share my little tales as well.
The first trip I ever took a trip by rail, I was 14 years old. My high school band was traveling from Alabama to Washington D. C., on to Philadelphia where we would march in the American-Legion Parade and then we would 'do' New York City. We had our own train car the entire journey. They'd just unhook us then park our car on a side rail while we were in that particular city. Man, but that was one more trip!!
I made a trip in 1951 when I was four months pregnant, so I could see my sailor husband before his ship deployed for the fighting in Korea. The Mississippi River was flooded (like it is now) so I left Alabama and traveled north to Chicago to follow a route that was not under water. We left Chicago in a train car with no air-conditioning so the windows were open. The train was pulled by a steam engine and by the time I got to San Diego, California, I was covered with soot.
I've ridden the train many times since then and always have a wonderful time.
Have you ridden a train EVER or LATELY? Tell me about your experiences. I'd love to read about them. And, if you haven't been on a train... by all means take a trip! Anywhere. It's fun. And, no, Amtrak did not tell me to say that!!!
We all loved it and were ready to dive headfirst into our discussion. Of course, we always get off track and today was no exception. Some of us had ridden trains. There were more than a few tales being told about trips they had made. Myself, I've made a few interesting journeys on trains over the years so naturally I had to share my little tales as well.
The first trip I ever took a trip by rail, I was 14 years old. My high school band was traveling from Alabama to Washington D. C., on to Philadelphia where we would march in the American-Legion Parade and then we would 'do' New York City. We had our own train car the entire journey. They'd just unhook us then park our car on a side rail while we were in that particular city. Man, but that was one more trip!!
I made a trip in 1951 when I was four months pregnant, so I could see my sailor husband before his ship deployed for the fighting in Korea. The Mississippi River was flooded (like it is now) so I left Alabama and traveled north to Chicago to follow a route that was not under water. We left Chicago in a train car with no air-conditioning so the windows were open. The train was pulled by a steam engine and by the time I got to San Diego, California, I was covered with soot.
I've ridden the train many times since then and always have a wonderful time.
Have you ridden a train EVER or LATELY? Tell me about your experiences. I'd love to read about them. And, if you haven't been on a train... by all means take a trip! Anywhere. It's fun. And, no, Amtrak did not tell me to say that!!!
What a pretty trombonist! Yes, I have ridden on trains. My maternal grandfather was an engineer with the Canadian Pacific Railway. The most recent excursion was on the Downeaster to Boston...probably over a decade ago now. Time to go again! I enjoyed reading of your train adventures.
ReplyDeleteI've never been on a "real" train only a small one at the park in Branson. I've always wanted to take the train out west, but hubby won't go for it. Enjoyed your post, Latane!
ReplyDeleteLoved reading bout your journeys!! Spiffy Band uniform! Can you still play any music?
ReplyDeleteNow THAT'S a band uniform!! I've had a lifelong love affair with trains, from living a block from the tracks all my life til I went to college. I'd even go down to the last house and climb their immense wisteria vine at about suppertime, just to see up and into the dining cars---what luxury I imagined and saw---at least at table-level and up.
ReplyDeleteMy Mother hated to drive in Memphis, and since one of her doctors was up there, we'd drive way over and catch the City of New Orleans up, get a taxi to the doctor's appointment, then shop a while in one of the nice stores til time to catch the City back home.
And I rode the Harry Potter Train in England in 2003---we'd been on a big boat all day on a lake in a cold rainstorm, and it felt like heaven to settle into that soft, warm checked upholstery.
Thank you for the memories!
rachel
It has been awhile since I have been on a train. Both of my train rides were on the Amtrak, once to New York City and another trip to Richmond, Va. I love the band uniform and the images. Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteI think everyone loves trains...I sure do!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, we rode the train every summer from Mississippi to Ohio with our grandmother. It was So magical...these were the early 50's and I was very young..about five or six, so I fit in the top bunk overnight very easily. I so remember pulling into Chicago and seeing the south side of the city..wonderful memories of the stations!
ReplyDeleteTrain history and travel has always been fascinating to our family. Wow! What a memory from your school band days. I was in the school band and have many memories, but only on bus trips.
ReplyDeleteI use the train to travel from here to NH. The Vermonter goes from DC to St. Albans VT. Daughter lives near the NH border with Vermont so a ten hour ride gets me to her house with no changing required. In fact I have to book my next trip there in February for granddaughter's 2nd birthday.
ReplyDeleteI love a train ride! Our most recent was a steam excursion, but we've taken Amtrak to Florida and back. That trip was at night (lots of little kids who needed to sleep). I'd like to do it again (when it's warm) during the day.
ReplyDeletei enjoyed this post!! happy new year latane!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Mom! I actually had not realized you had been diverted on that one train trip because the Mississippi was flooded! Loved reading all this. I still have a steam train ride on my bucket list!
ReplyDeleteBTW someone did a post about two jars she made for the new year...one was to be filled with all the good things that happened this year; the other to be filled with all the goals she plans to achieve (to be read, both, at the end of the year). I thought about your jar post about the good things. Thought you might find it fun to add a goal jar! I may join you!
We use the train a lot in England, so I have always used trains. I used to get the train to school every day at one stage of my life - as a child obviously! - and I have commuted to work on the train and used it for other journeys. One day I would like to do a holiday travelling on a train. Hope that you enjoyed the book! xx
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